After the club closed, prominent Milwaukee businessman Jerrel Jones moved to take over the club and rename it. At the April Licenses hearing, Jones said he was the agent for the club, but named Obiora Obi, the club's former operator, as his general manager, adding that Obi would own 75% of the business. As a result of Obi's continued involvement, police urged council members to reject the new application.

On Tuesday, however, Jones came in with a new plan. He said he now owned 55% of the club, with Obi owning the rest. And Jones reiterated that he would take full responsibility for the operation of the club. He added that an armed security team would be on site, new cameras would be added, capacity would be reduced to 500 people and patrons 25 years of age and younger would not be allowed in.

Despite the concessions, Capt. Victor Beecher said he still had concerns about licensing the club. Assistant City Attorney Nick DeSiato also expressed doubts about the new ownership arrangement.

"That's a little too close to comfort with the (police) district," DeSiato said of the ownership split.

But Ald. Ashanti Hamilton, whose district includes the club, said the club should be given a chance to operate. Both he and Ald. Milele Coggs said Jones was a respected businessman and deserved to be given a chance to turn the club around.

The Common Council will consider the recommendation at its July 22 meeting.

The vote to approve the licenses was 3-2. Council members Coggs, Russell Stamper II and committee chairman Tony Zielinski voted to approve the licenses. Council members Joe Dudzik and Robert Puente voted no.

Earlier, the committee rejected an effort by Dudzik to deny approval of the licenses.